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Justplainchickn

Justplainchickn

Chirping
5 Years
Nov 9, 2014
64
4
61
Colorado
Hi everyone I am so excited for this spring to start raising chickens! I am a sponge and have been reading and dropping into any and every store that has info on having backyard chickens. I was told this was the place to get some of the best help. I am really enjoying the website so far and will have lots of questions for everyone this winter and spring! I am from Colorado so if anyone has good advise right off for the crazy weather we get hot and cold I would appreciate the feed back.
 
Hi :welcome

Glad you joined the flock. @MountainPeeps is from Colorado I'm sure she will be able to help you with your weather issues, I'm sure she will be greeting you soon.

Wishing you the very best of luck with your chickens in the spring. Be sure to ask any questions you may have the forums are great.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you Also this is a great link to find your state thread for other chicken people in your area :frow
 
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Welcome to BYC!
frow.gif


If you haven't already, check out the articles under the Learning Center tab, there's a lot of good information there. And if you have questions, feel free to ask.

Nice to have you join!
 
Hello there and welcome to BYC!
frow.gif


X2 on Mountain Peeps. She can help you out with winterizing the coop being from Colorado. Have you stopped by our learning center yet? Lots of helpful tips on raising your new flock....https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Make yourself at home here and if you do have any questions along the way, feel free to ask. Welcome to our flock!
 


Ventilation is probably one of the most important things to have in winter. Without proper ventilation your birds will get frostbite, respiratory illnesses and other problems.
Chickens can survive brutally cold temps as long as they are dry and out of all drafts. Sealing up all cracks in the coop and putting in about 1 square foot of vent space in the eaves per bird. Wind chills are merciless on chickens sleeping at night so make sure your coop is draft free.

Other things to do to help keep your chickens snug this winter include using straw as a bedding, using the 4" inch side of a 2x4 roosts. I also put a towel that has been in the dryer and put it on the roosts to warm their feet. Make sure that there is no water spillage or moisture collection on the bedding as this can also result in frostbite. On the very cold nights you should rub vaseline on the chickens' combs and wattles to help prevent freezing.
Here's a link on frostbite and ventilation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/frostbite
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-coop-ventilation-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop

You don't need a heat lamp if you have ventilation, proper bedding, proper roosts and proper feed. In the winter you should be feeding your normal layer, grower or chick feed along with scratch as this will keep the birds warm especially if you feed it in the evenings.

Bedding that is warm and absorbent is also necessary. Wet bedding mixed with the cold temps and wind chills equals bad frostbite. So either use straw, shavings or shredded paper. Straw is possibly the best bedding to use in winter. Line the nests with straw to help prevent eggs from freezing. Bales of straw help act as insulation and keep the coop even warmer.

Heated water bowls are also imperative. Chickens drink non-stop in winter and they can't do that if their water is frozen! So either buy a heated bowl or use a heated base on the bottom of their regular waterer. I've also heard of people who place a 40 watt bulb in between bricks and then put the water on top in a bowl. Make sure the waterer isn't plastic.

For the heat just make sure your flock has shade, water and again, ventilation. Give them cool treats like melon, frozen grapes and peas.

Good luck!
 
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Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. What kind of chickens do you have?
 

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